On Washington Street (U.S. 51) at Clay Street (State Highway 58), on the right when traveling south on Washington Street.
First high school in Ky. west of Tenn. River established at Clinton, 1846. Frame structure erected; burned 1854. In 1850, Clinton Female Seminary was incorporated. Organized as Clinton Academy as charter made no mention of only women students. . . . — — Map (db m36982) HM
On Washington Street (U.S. 51) at Clay Street (State Highway 58), on the right when traveling south on Washington Street.
For Capt. Paschal Hickman who was massacred by Indians after River Raisin battle, Jan., 1813, one of nine Ky. officers killed in that action for whom counties named. Resided Franklin County, extensive landowner. Originally, Hickman comprised the . . . — — Map (db m36945) HM
On U.S. 51 at milepost 7 at Circle Road, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 51.
Federal troops garrisoned in area between 1862 and 1865 were often harassed by enemy guerrillas. March 10, 1864, Clinton was first raided by about forty who took supplies and horses that had been purchased for Union army. On July 10, 1864, . . . — — Map (db m51844) HM
Troops under Gen. Leonidas Polk fortified strategic line of bluffs here Sept. 3, 1861 marking CSA's first move in Ky. To prevent passage of Union gunboats, a huge chain was stretched across the Mississippi River. After Union success in Tenn., CSA . . . — — Map (db m37098) HM
The Mississippi River looms large in our history. Early on, it marked the nation's westernmost boundary. As the country expanded, the river became the eastern border of the western frontier. "The Mighty Mississippi" linked far-flung places in . . . — — Map (db m37123) HM
Confederate General Leonidus Polk occupied the site of Columbus and began erecting extensive fortifications in September of 1861. In addition to the soldiers under his command, more than 13,000 at one point, over 10,000 African American slaves . . . — — Map (db m37287) HM
"The rebels have a chain across the river about one mile above Columbus. It is sustained by flats, at intervals, chain passing through steeples placed about the water's edge, the chain passing under the boats." - Report from Union spy to . . . — — Map (db m37297) HM
On Hoover Parkway (State Highway 80/123) at Route 58, in the median on Hoover Parkway.
First entire town in Kentucky to be moved from one site to another. In 1927, after the most severe flood in its history, Columbus was moved from the banks of the river to this bluff, 200 feet above, by the American Red Cross at a cost of $100,000. . . . — — Map (db m18466) HM
The view from these 180-foot bluffs has changed significantly in the last several centuries. The Mississippi River has shifted course. Portions of the bluff has crumbled into the river. The bustling town of Columbus, which once lay just beneath . . . — — Map (db m37124) HM
The main objective of the Confederate Army in fortifying Columbus was to block Union movements on the Mississippi River. In so doing they also had to protect their position from inland attack. The trenches through which this trail leads are part of . . . — — Map (db m37317) HM
Why are there quakes along the Mississippi River? Geologists have many theories but do not know why quakes occur around New Madrid, Missouri. They do agree that the geology of the Mississippi valley is unique because of Reelfoot rift and the . . . — — Map (db m37170) HM
The Fourth United States Colored Heavy Artillery was initially organized as the Second Tennessee Heavy Artillery, African Descent and also briefly known as the Third Mississippi. Despite its initial designation as a Tennessee unit and second . . . — — Map (db m37295) HM
Apparently, after Cannon # 209 was lost, no effort was made to immediately recover the cannon. World War II created severe shortages of manpower, equipment, and money. Several searches after the war were unsuccessful. In 1984, a local historian and . . . — — Map (db m37316) HM
On Hoover Parkway (State Highway 80/123) at State Highway 58, in the median on Hoover Parkway.
So named by early French explorers. Columbus was proposed as the nation's capitol after the War of 1812. The area was fortified by the Confederate army during the War Between the States. — — Map (db m18465) HM
This Model 1829 Cannon # 209 was affectionately called a "32-pounder". This simply means it shot a 32-pound, round iron shot. Most of the large cannons used at Forts DeRussy, Henry, Donelson, Pillow, and Island #10 were this size. Cast in 1839 at . . . — — Map (db m37300) HM
Read Me First The following maps and text illustrate the battle at Belmont, Missouri. The battle is broken into sections that explain the components of the overall battle. To understand the progression of the battle, match the number above each . . . — — Map (db m37089) HM
Settlement and Early Growth The French explorers Marquette and Joliet first explored the area around Columbus in 1673. The French gave Columbus the name "Iron Banks," believing the color of the banks indicated the presence of iron. In 1783, . . . — — Map (db m37014) HM
The Mississippi River in the Civil War "Whatever nation gets control of the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, will control the continent." Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, 1861 The goal of both the Northern (Federal or Union) . . . — — Map (db m37355) HM
On Old Highway 46 (County Highway 952) 0.3 miles north of Old Bon Aqua Road, on the right when traveling north.
In 1837 William Locke Weems discovered
the mineral springs around which a resort
flourished for over a century. Among the
historical events which occurred here was
the establishment of the Bar Association
of Tennessee on July 4. 1882. The . . . — — Map (db m155761) HM
On Old Highway 46 (County Highway 952) 0.2 miles north of Old Bon Aqua Road, on the right when traveling north.
(side 1)
Major Philip Van Horn Weems, CSA
Born Nov. 6. 1837, Philip Van Horn Weems owned this property known as Weems's Springs prior to the Civil War. In May 1861, he enlisted in the Hickman Guards, later Co. H, 11th Regt. TN, . . . — — Map (db m155770) HM
On East Swan Street at College Avenue, on the right when traveling west on East Swan Street.
This bell hung in the steeple of the church building on College Avenue, where the Centerville Church of Christ worshipped, for almost 100 years. The Church relocated to the present site in 1966 after outgrowing its original location. The new church . . . — — Map (db m224727) HM
On State Highway 438 at Sulphur Creek Road, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 438.
Five miles south, on Sulphur Creek, Adam Coble, a pioneer, established a pottery in
1823 It operated successfully until 1861, when the War between the States forced its closing. — — Map (db m156531) HM
On North Central Avenue (State Highway 100) at Huddleston Road, on the right when traveling east on North Central Avenue.
This pioneer is buried under an ancient poplar 400 yds. S.E. While returning to the Cumberland Settlements from a surveying trip, with James Robertson, Robert Weakley, J. Smith, Richard Shaffer and John Garner, he was killed by Indians from ambush . . . — — Map (db m156537) HM
On South Public Square at West Public Square, on the left when traveling east on South Public Square.
In 1864, the Hickman County Courthouse and Centerville's business district around the public square became a burned-out war zone. Confederate Col. Jacob B. "Jake" Biffle pursued Col. John Murphy's 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry for two days from . . . — — Map (db m99020) HM
On East Swan Street at South Public Square, on the left when traveling north on East Swan Street.
Center tablet:
In honor of the men of
Hickman County who
gave the supreme
sacrifice in defense
of their country
Lord, remember me when you
come as king. Jesus said this
day you will be with me
in paradise.
Luke 24: . . . — — Map (db m224724) WM
On South Public Square at West Public Square, on the right when traveling south on South Public Square.
One of the most recognizable artists in country music for 50 years, Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, professionally known as Minnie Pearl, developed gentle and affectionate comedic routines about the people she had known growing up in Centerville and . . . — — Map (db m224728) HM
On Centerville Highway (Tennessee Route 48) 0.2 miles north of Richard Dorning Road, on the right when traveling south.
Hickman County
Established 1807: named in honor of
Edwin Hickman
Long Hunter and gallant explorer
who was killed by Indians near the
present site of Centerville in 1791.
Lewis County
Established 1843; named in honor of . . . — — Map (db m168647) HM
On State Highway 230 at Old State Highway 48, on the right when traveling north on State Highway 230.
Goodrich, one mile west, once a furnace town producing pig iron from ore from Nunnelly mines, was the birthplace of Beth Slater Whitson, writer of poems, stories, and songs. Her best known song lyrics were “Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland” . . . — — Map (db m156539) HM
On State Highway 230 at Old Airport Road, on the right when traveling west on State Highway 230.
Hickman County's first courthouse and jail, hewn log structures, stood on the hill 300 yards away, in the midst of the pioneer of town of Vernon. The Legislative act making Centerville the county seat was passed in 1821 and the courthouse was moved . . . — — Map (db m156576) HM
On State Highway 230, 0.4 miles west of Goodrich Road (County Road 961), on the right when traveling west.
An outstanding teacher dedicated to her pupils for 50 years, 30 of which she was the principal of Nunnelly School, retiring in 1972. She was an artist, a poet, a musician, a high school basketball coach of renown, a benefactor to her many needy . . . — — Map (db m156543) HM
On State Highway 230, 0.4 miles west of Goodrich Road (County Road 961), on the right when traveling west.
In 1810 Lawson and Elizabeth Sandles Nunnelly settled in the area that became Vernon, just down the road from this garden. Their family farmed, operated a mining company, and ran a general store on the banks of the Piney River. In 1882 this . . . — — Map (db m156546) HM
On State Highway 230, 0.1 miles south of West Sugar Creek Road, on the right when traveling south.
Samuel B. Lee and James Gould built the furnace as part of an ironworks that employed hundreds. They located here due to the proximity of the raw materials needed to produce iron - iron ore, limestone, sand, wood for charcoal to fuel the furnace, . . . — — Map (db m156577) HM
The old Natchez Trace was a 450-plus-mile footpath that ran through Natchez, Choctaw, and Chickasaw lands.
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail consists of five separate sections for over 60 miles of trail, including some segments of the . . . — — Map (db m107106) HM
Near Natchez Trace Parkway (at milepost 404.7), 3.1 miles south of Williamsport Pike (Tennessee Route 50), on the right when traveling north.
This trail descends to Jackson Falls, a beautifully sculptured cascade that seems ageless. But it isn’t. For thousands of years before the falls existed, Jackson Branch flowed into this high valley, isolated from the Duck River below.
Then, in . . . — — Map (db m84576)
The Natchez Trace Parkway leads you 444 miles through three states and 10,000 years of North American history. Also designated as a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road, the Parkway encourages travelers to experience historic and scenic . . . — — Map (db m108199) HM
Near Natchez Trace Parkway (at milepost 403.7), 4.1 miles south of Williamsport Pike (Tennessee Route 50), on the left when traveling north.
Preserved here is a 2,000-foot long section of the original Old Natchez Trace which follows a ridge 300 feet above the Duck River.
A 10-15 minute stroll will take you to the end of the trail and back and provide a change of pace from driving. . . . — — Map (db m84582) HM
Near Natchez Trace Parkway (at milepost 405.1), 2.7 miles south of Williamsport Pike (Tennessee Route 50), on the right when traveling north.
The Morrow family farm, visible from this outlook, is an excellent example of agriculture working in harmony with the environment. The Morrow’s, like other conservation farmers, have a strong conservation ethic and a desire to leave improved soil . . . — — Map (db m84575) HM
is designed to encourage leisurely exploration of the history and beauty of Old Southwest. Here are a few pointers to make your trip more enjoyable.
Here are a few pointers to make your trip more enjoyable.
Regulations and Safety
Obey . . . — — Map (db m107105) HM
